Range control panel assembly

ABSTRACT

THE RANGE CONTROL PANEL COVER ASSEMBLY INCLUDES A CONTROL PANEL HAVING ATTACHED AND CAPS ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON THE RANGE. ELONGATE GROOVES ARE DISPOSED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATION LONGITUDINALLY OF THE PANEL. AN INNER U-SHAPED COVER IS DISPOSED IN FIXED RELATION AT ONE END OF THE PANEL, THE COVER HAVING A PAIR OF ELONGATE TONGUES ENGAGING ASSOCIATED GROOVES ON THE PANEL. AN OUTER SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED COVER, ALSO PROVIDED WITH ELONGATE TONGUES, IS DISPOSED IN INTERFITTING RELATION TO THE FIRST COVER, THE TANGUES BEING OPERATIVELY ADJACENT TO THE TONGUES OF THE FIRST COVER AND SLIDABLY ENGAGEABLE WITHIN ASSOCIATED GROOVES OF THE PANEL SO THAT THE OUTER PANEL MAY BE MOVED TELESCOPICALLY RELATIVE TO THE INNER PANEL TO CONCEAL THE CONTROL KNOBS.   A SECOND EMBODIMENT PROVIDES A PAIR OF FIXED INNER COVERS, DISPOSED AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF A CONTROL PANEL, AND A COMPATIBLE PAIR OF OUTER, SLIDING COVERS MOVABLE TOWARD EACH OTHER TO A FULLY CLOSED POSITION.

Jan. 19, 1971 A. L. BALTZ ETAL 3,556,624

RANGE CONTROL PANEL ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 7, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 flLE/SIQT' L. 5/4472 54/1452 M04565 lzszogzx sys Jan. 19, 1971 BALTZ ET AL RANGE CONTROL PANEL ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. '7, 1968 United States Patent Otfice 3,556,524 Patented Jan. 19, 1971 3,556,624 RANGE CONTROL PANEL ASSEMBLY Albert L. Baltz, Millstadt, and Elmer E. Voeke, Belleville,

Ill., assignors to Eagle Range & Manufacturing Company, Belleville, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 7, 1968, Ser. No. 765,394 Int. Cl. A471) 96/00 US. Cl. 312-295 9' Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The range control panel cover assembly includes a control panel having attached end caps adapted to be mounted on the range. Elongate grooves are disposed in side-by-side relation longitudinally of the panel. An inner U-shaped cover is disposed in fixed relation at one end of the panel, the cover having a pair of elongate tongues engaging associated grooves on the panel. An outer substantially U-shaped cover, also provided with elongate tongues, is disposed in interfitting relation to the first cover, the tangues being operatively adjacent to the tongues of the first cover and slidably engageable within associated grooves of the panel so that the outer panel may be moved telescopically relative to the inner panel to conceal the control knobs.

A second embodiment provides a pair of fixed inner covers, disposed at opposite ends of a control panel, and a compatible pair of outer, sliding covers movable toward each other to a fully closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to ranges, and particularly to a cover assembly for the range control knobs.

The control knobs on gas and electric ranges are usually attached to burner control stems which project directly from the frame of the range. This arrangement discourages the provision of any form of cover for the control knobs, because such a cover would, of necessity, require attachment directly to the range frame of the range frame paneling. Attachment of a cover directly to the range body is a distinct disadvantage because it entails the expensive process of adapting the principal portion of the range to suit the control panel.

Ideally, efficient control panel covers serve several purposes. Obviously, they provide concealment of the control knobs, and this concealment not only enhances the appearance of the range unit as a whole but also protects the control knobs from becoming coated with grease and cooking overflow matter and the like. At least as important, the covering of the knobs precludes unintentional actuation of the control knobs by inadvertent body contact when the range is not in use. In addition, children are discouraged from playing with the control knobs when such knobs are out of sight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The control panel covers of this device are not attached directly to the range frame but to a control panel which is mounted on the range 'by means of end closure caps.

When the covers are in the closed position, the control knobs are concealed from view and cannot be unintentionally actuated.

The control panel assembly includes a control knob panel adapted to be mounted on the range and having spaced grooves disposed longitudinally of the panel. Interfitting first and second substantially U-shaped covers are disposed over the panel, the second cover being movable relative to the first cover. The first cover includes substantially parallel elongate tongues operatively adjacent to and engaged within associated grooves on the panel. The second cover includes similar elongate tongues operatively adjacent to the tongue of the first cover and slidingly engaging the same associated groove.

The panel includes angularly related leg portions and an intermediate body portion extending between said leg portions in selective relation. The spaced grooves are formed substantially along the intersecting edges of the leg portion and body portion. Closure end caps are attached to the panel and mount the panel to the range.

The intermediate body portion of the panel includes a display knob control area and the first cover is disposed in fixed relation to the panel. The second cover is disposed outwardly of the first cover in telescopic relation thereto, whereby to selectively conceal said display area.

In another embodiment, the first and second covers are disposed at one end of the elongate panel, and third and fourth covers having a similar configuration to the first and second covers respectively, are disposed at the other end of the panel. The second and fourth covers are movable toward each other and away from their associated fixed covers, thereby to selectively conceal the display area of the panel. The second and fourth covers are substantially aligned and movable into substantially abutting relation.

Each of the substantially U-shaped covers includes inwardly turned lips at each extremity, the lips forming the tongues and related tongues of each cover disposed at one side of the panel are received in a single continuous groove.

The end closure caps include inner and outer portions interfitting with respect to each other to conceal the connection of the end caps to the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the control panel assembly mounted on a range;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view as taken through the control panel assembly and illustrates the disposition of related parts with the end caps and range shown in phantom outline for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the control panel assembly showing one of the end caps removed; and

FIG. 4 is a similar perspective view illustrating a second species of the control panel assembly having dual sliding covers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, it will be understood that the control panel assembly, generally indicated by numeral 10, is mounted on a range 11. The range 11 is representative of a gas or electric unit which is conventional except for the control panel assembly 10.

FIG. 2 is a cross section as taken through the principal parts of the control panel assembly 10. The assembly 10 includes a control panel 12 carried by end caps 13 and 14 which are mounted to the range 11. A plurality of stems 15 connected to the burner controls (not shown) projects outwardly from the range 11. Each of the stems 15 carries a control knob 16 disposed above the panel 12.

Inner and outer covers 17 and 18 respectively constitute first and second covers disposed in sliding relation to each other.

The control panel 12 includes a leg portion 20, depending downwardly of the range 11 and a leg portion 21 projecting inwardly of the range 11 and disposed substantially perpendicularly to the leg portion 20. An intermediate body portion 22 extends between the leg portions 20 and 21 and is joined integrally to the leg portions 20 and 21.

A longitudinal groove 23 is formed substantially at the juncture of the body portion 22 and the leg portion 20, and a similar groove 24 is formed at the juncture of the body portion 22 with the leg portion 21. The grooves 23 and 24 run substantially the full length of the panel 12. Part of the body portion 22 is utilized as a control knob display area 29. A plurality of holes 19 are provided in the display area 29, the holes admitting the knob stems therethrough.

The inner cover 17 and the outer cover 18 have a substantially U-shaped configuration compatible to permit the inner cover 17 to be nested within the outer cover 18. At their extremities, the legs of the U-shaped covers 17 and 18 are provided with inturned lips 25, 26 and 27, 28 respectively, the lips constituting substantially parallel elongate tongues.

The inner cover 17 is disposed in fixed relation to the panel 12, and the elongate lips and 26 thereof are operatively adjacent to and engage the panel grooves 23 and 24 respectively. The elongate lips 27 and 28 of the outer cover 18 are disposed operatively adjacent to the lips 25 and 26 respectively of the inner cover 17 and slidingly engage associated grooves 23 and 24 respectively of the panel 12. It will be observed that in the preferred embodiment, adjacent lips 25 and 27 are received in the single, continuous groove 23 on one side of the panel 12, and adjacent lips 26 and 28 are received within the single continuous groove 24 on the other side of the panel 12.

Turning now to FIG. 3, it will be understood that the control panel assembly 10 includes a pair of end caps 13 and 14 constituting a mounting means. These caps 13 and 14 are substantially similar, and end cap 13 only will be described. End cap 13 provides a closure means for the control panel assembly 10, and importantly, a means of mounting the assembly 10 to the range 11. The control panel 12 includes at its ends a plurality of open screw sockets 31. The end cap 13 comprises an inner portion 32 and an outer portion 33. The inner por tion 32 is provided with a plurality of apertures 34 registrable with the open screw sockets 31. and receiving screws 35 for attachment of the panel 12 to the inner portion 32. When the inner portion 32 has been secured to the panel 12, the outer portion may be clipped or otherwise attached over the inner portion 32. Except for the upper flap, the sides of the outer portion 33 overlap corresponding sides of the inner portion 32. When the attachment is efiectuated, the control panel assembly 10, including its end caps 13 and 14 may be mounted to the range support 30. This mounting is accomplished by placing apertures 36 in register with the slots 37 and the threaded apertures 38, and threadedly connecting the parts together by means of screws 39. When the range side panel (not shown) is emplaced, all of the fasteners are concealed.

A slot 42 at the end of the intermediate body portion 22 enables the requisite wiring (not shown) to be con nected to a signal light 43 that indicates the on-off condition of the burners. Because the inner cover 17 is disposed in fixed relation to the control panel 12, and because of the telescoping relationship between the inner and outer cover-s 17 and 18, the outer cover 18 may be drawn by means of a knob 44 in a direction whereby to selectively conceal the display area 45 of the panel 22. The end cap 13 acts as a stop means for the movable cover 18. When the outer cover 18 is in abutting relation with the end cap 13, the control knobs 16 are fully concealed.

The downwardly depending leg portion 20 of the panel 12 includes an elongate recess which accommodates and receives a decorative plate 41. It will be understood that, in the preferred form, the control panel 12 is an extruded member.

In FIG. 4, another species of the control panel generally shown by numeral 50, is disclosed which has a centralized control display. At one end of the control panel 51 of the assembly 50 is an inner cover 52 disposed in fixed relation to the panel 51, and constituting a first cover. An outer cover 53, constituting a second cover, is telecopically related to said inner cover 52 and is movable inwardly of the panel 51 to selectively conceal the centrally disposed display area 57. At the opposite end of the panel 51, an inner cover 54, constituting a third cover and having a similar configuration to the inner cover 52, is disposed in fixed relation to the panel 51. The inner covers 52 and 54 are substantially longitudinally aligned.

Another outer cover 55, constituting a fourth cover and having a similar configuration to the outer cover 53, is telescopically related to the inner cover 54 and movable inwardly of the panel 51 to selectively conceal the display area 56 of the panel 51. Outer covers 53 and are substantially longitudinally aligned. In the closed position, when the outer covers 53 and 55 are drawn toward each other fully to conceal the display panel, such covers 53 and 55 are in substantial abutment.

It will be understood that, generally speaking, FIG. 2 which illustrates an enlarged cross section to the first embodiment, is applicable also to the left-hand portion of the species of control panel assembly disclosed in FIG. 4. Further, it will be clear that in the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 4, the right-hand portion is substantially a mirror image of the left-hand portion. End caps and 61 correspond substantially to end caps 13 and 14 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. This arrangement enables single continuous grooves 57 to accommodate all of the inturned lips at one side of each of four covers 52 through 54. This arrangement produces a simple and efiicient construction.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, tab stop means 59 may be provided within the grooves 57 and 58 to engage with the inturned lips of covers 53 and 55 respectively and said lips may be cut back slightly to accommodate the stop means 59. The stop means 59 prevents the outer covers 53 and 55 from sliding completely out of position relative to the inner covers 52 and 54 respectively. It will be obvious that such stop means 59 could be achieved by providing cooperating lip means on each inner and outer cover, the lip means being adapted to engage each other in the closed cover position.

It has been stated that the covers 17 and 18 (FIG. 2) are substantially U-shaped. This configuration is advantageous in the event that the covers are fabricated from sheet metal or plastic. In such a case, the covers 17 and 18 may be very simply sprung into engagement with the control panel 12 after the panel 12 has been mounted on the range 11.

Alternatively, the panel portion 12, as described also, has a configuration which renders it susceptible to slight springing action. Therefore, the panel 12 may be sprung into engaging relation with the covers 17 and 18 respectively prior to the attachment of the end caps 12 and 13.

We claim as our invention:

1. A control panel cover assembly for a range, comprising:

(a) a control panel including substantially parallel elongate grooves disposed in transversely spaced relation longitudinally of the panel,

(b) a first, substantially U-shaped cover including substantially parallel elongate tongues operatively adjacent to and engaging associated grooves on the panel,

(c) a second, substantially U'shaped cover disposed in lapped, operatively movable relation to the first cover and including substantially parallel, elongate tongues operatively adjacent to the tongues of the first cover and slidably engaging associated grooves on the panel, and

(d) mounting means mounting the panel to the range.

2. A cover assembly as defined in claim 1, in which:

(e) the U-shaped covers include turned lips at their extremities providing the elongate tongues and adjacent tongues of the first and second covers are received in the same groove.

3. A cover assembly as defined in claim 1, in which:

(e) the mounting means includes a pair of opposed end caps carrying the panel and adapted to be attached to the range.

4. A cover assembly as defined in claim 1, in which:

(e) the panel includes a control knob display area,

(f) the first cover is disposed in fixed relation to and partially covers the panel,

(g) the second cover is telescopically related to the first cover whereby to selectively conceal the display area,

(h) the panel includes a downwardly depending leg portion, an inwardly projecting leg portion angularly related thereto and an intermediate body portion extending between said leg portions, and

(i) the spaced grooves are formed substantially at the junctures of the body portion and the leg portions.

5. A cover assembly as defined in claim 2, in which:

(f) the substantially U-shaped covers include an inwardly turned lip at each extremity, each lip forming a tongue,

(g) the spaced grooves are outwardly facing, and

(h) the second cover is disposed outwardly of the first and is movable therewith, to selectively conceal the panel.

6. A cover assembly as defined in claim 1, in which:

(e) the panel includes a downwardly depending leg portion, an inwardly projecting leg portion angularly related thereto and an intermediate body portion integrally formed with said leg portions, said intermediate body portion having a display area,

(f) the spaced grooves are formed outwardly facing substantially at the intersection of the body portion and the leg portions,

(g) each substantially U-shaped cover includes an inwardly turned lip at each extremity, the lips forming the tongues,

(h) adjacent tongues of the first and second covers are received in the same groove,

(i) the first cover is disposed in fixed relation to the panel and partially covers said intermediate body portion, and

(j) the second cover is disposed outwardly of the first cover in telescopic relation thereto whereby to selectively conceal the display area. I

7. A cover assembly as defined in claim 6, in which:

(k) the mounting means includes a pair of opposed end caps, each end cap including an inner portion connected to the panel and an outer portion substantially overfitting the inner portion to conceal the connection of the inner portion to the panel and to provide a closure.

8. A control panel cover assembly for a range, comprising:

(a) a control panel including substantially parallel elongate grooves disposed in spaced relation longitudinally of the panel,

(b) a first, substantially U-shaped cover including substantially parallel elongate tongues operatively adjacent to and engaging associated grooves on the panel,

(c) a second, substantially U-shaped cover disposed in lapped, movable relation to the first cover and including substantially parallel, elongate tongues operatively adjacent to the tongues of the first cover and slidably engaging associated grooves on the panel,

((1) mounting means mounting the panel to the range,

(e) the first cover being disposed in fixed relation to the panel at one end thereof, 1

(f) a third cover having a similar configuration to the first cover and being disposed in fixed relation to the panel at the other end thereof,

(g) the second cover being telescopically related to said first cover and movable inwardly of the panel to selectively conceal the panel,

(h) a fourth cover having a similar configuration to the second cover and being telescopically related to the said third cover and movable inwardly of the panel to selectively conceal the panel,

(i) the first and third covers being substantially longitudinally aligned, and

(j) the second and fourth covers being substantially longitudinally aligned and movable toward each other to a substantially fully closed position.

9. A cover assembly as defined in claim 8, in which:

(k) each substantially U-shaped cover includes an inwardly turned lip at each extremity, the lips forming the tongues,

(1) adjacent lips of the first and second covers are received in one groove at one side of the panel, and

(in) adjacent lips of the third and fourth covers are received in the same groove.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,325,721 8/1943 Visser 312-295X 2,472,793 6/ 1949 Conterno 12642 2,514,133 7/1950 Barre et al. 126-42 2,539,840 1/1951 Jones 126-214X 2,764,968 10/1956 Shuster 12642 '2,959,3 17 11/1960 Aldridge 22041X 3,043,289 7/1962 Fox 126-42 JAMES T. MCCALL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

